The Restaurant Biz Blog

Motivating Your Employees

The best employee-driven operators ask themselves, "What do we want to be famous for with our employees?" Is it favoritism, mercurial moods, daily doubles, endless closing-opening shifts? Or do you offer moral leadership, fairness, energy, equity, balance, challenge and fun? The best operators know that they're not just selling food and beverages, they're selling the server's smile, energy, knowledge, attitude and empathy. The care and maintenance of both your internal and external customers is the key to both guest and employee retention.

Understand that you cannot "motivate" anyone. You can, however, create an environment in which your employees are self-motivated. To do what? Improve performance, profits and productivity. Effective incentives are a key factor to help create a self-motivated wait staff and kitchen crew.

Here are a few ideas you might find helpful to motivate your employees.

• The wall of fame - Showcase an employee of the week, the month, and an employee of the year. Have weekly, monthly and annual award ceremonies. It's important to have both management and employees make the selections. Remember, compensation is a right. Recognition is a gift.

• Employee meals - Employees who have the opportunity to enjoy items on your menu become excellent marketers for your food--a sincere, personal recommendation is the most effective up selling strategy. Make menu items complimentary or available at cost.

• Crew feedback cards - Asking for server feedback sends the message that their opinion and perspective is valuable. It also creates a team-oriented work environment and promotes professionalism. 

• Happy birthday cards - Here's a real easy one: Hand-written, personalized birthday cards signed by the owner and/or General Manager of your restaurant will generate tremendous good will. The employee will be surprised that you even knew it was their birthday let alone receive a card.

• Know your employees - Spend some time during each shift talking one-on-one with an employee about a hobby or interest-anything non-work related. The employee feels important and special, and employees who feel good about work, take better care of your guests. This will help you understand your employees what motivates them.

• One-on-one's - At a minimum you should have sit down one-on-ones with your employees every 6 months but on their hire date anniversary make it special, have lunch or dinner with them. Ask questions, listen to ideas, show appreciation, and let them know they are a valuable asset. You will be surprised how much you will benefit from this as well as the employee.

Today's labor force wants the same things you wanted, and your parents wanted from work: a pleasant environment, fair compensation, appreciation for a job well done, and training to develop skills for advancement.

Keep focused on the basics that have always attracted good employees. And don't forget to ask them what they want. You might be surprised at what you hear.

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